Indocyanine green-fluorescent imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma during laparoscopic hepatectomy: An initial experience

Introduction: Laparoscopic hepatectomy has disadvantages in intraoperative diagnosis, because it offers limited visualization and palpability of the liver surface. Recently, we developed a novel fluorescent imaging technique using indocyanine green (ICG), which would enable identification of liver cancers during open hepatectomy. However, this technique has not yet been applied to laparoscopic hepatectomy. Materials and Surgical Technique: A patient with a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) located in Couinaud's segment II was administered ICG (0.5 mg per kg body weight) intravenous injection 5 d before surgery, as a routine liver function test. The prototype fluorescent imaging system was composed of a xenon light source and a laparoscope with a charge-coupled device camera that could filter out light with wavelengths below 810 nm. Intraoperatively, fluorescent imaging of the HCC was performed by changing color images to fluorescent images with a foot switch. Then, the fluorescing tumor was clearly identified on the visceral surface of segment II during mobilization of the left liver for resection of segments II and III. On the cut surface of the specimen, the tumor showed uniform fluorescence and was microscopically diagnosed as a well-differentiated HCC. Discussion: Laparoscopic fluorescent imaging using preoperative injection of ICG enabled real-time identification of HCC. This technique may be an easy and reliable tool to enhance the accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis during laparoscopic hepatectomy.